Robinsons’ sixth generation of family owners. Rear, left to right: William, John, Paul, Veronica and Neil. Front, Sara and Oliver
Robinsons Brewery has reported annual results confirming its highest beer production in 15 years, chiefly driven by Trooper and Dizzy Blonde, which have continued to deliver double-digit growth.
The company also has a multi-million pound investment programme which will see almost 200 pubs — two thirds of its estate — refurbished, while there is a plan, too, for the development of its new managed house business over the next five years.
Against a backdrop of landmark developments — including the re-build of its brewhouse, a new visitor centre, record investment in the pub estate, and a company-wide corporate re-brand involving pub signage, logistics, merchandising, literature, the website and beer brands — Robinsons is ploughing profits back into the business.
Because of the increased investment, the company’s annual operating profit for 2014 reduced slightly from £1.3m to £1m, despite an increase in sales.
William Robinson, managing director (pub division), said: “We remain committed to the development and enhancement of our core tenanted pub estate, with amplified investment going into repairs as well as refurbishments. [This is] alongside the development of our new managed house business, taking four previously tenanted pubs back under direct management, plus the visitor centre which won a gold accolade in 2015 from Visit England. These are all part of our long term business strategy to remain a vertically integrated brewer and pub operator.
“The strategic plan required a significant additional investment in our pub estate to improve the long-term fortunes of our company. Therefore we plan to accelerate this spend over the coming years and invest over £23m in 179 schemes over the next five years and a similar amount in the maintenance of our pubs across the estate. So we can expect suppressed profit until at least the end of this period.”
Oliver Robinson, managing director (beer division), added: “As I’m sure people have noticed, from initiatives such as Trooper beer with Iron Maiden, our new ale, Wizard, and some of the most unique refurbishments in our history, we are evolving.
“Our brew house investment in 2012 continues to give us greater production flexibility and this is being used to good effect in the development of an increasingly adventurous set of seasonal ales and our series of smaller batch bespoke beers, created in collaboration with our licensees. We are now in a great position to participate in the growing craft market, whether that be in cask or keg.
“Over the past two years, we’ve also been working hard to implement an ambitious growth plan for free trade, off-trade, wholesale and export, which appears to be paying off with 2015 currently outperforming 2014. We are investing in our people (we appointed Ben Robinson as head of sales at the end of 2014), premiumising our portfolio, and demonstrating to our partners that we offer more than just great beer through incentives such as our 1838 Club, which supports and actively rewards customers for trading with us.”
He added: “With an established reputation, a first class collection of beers and pubs, an ability to innovate and respond to consumer demands, and equipment that provides unbeatable flexibility to deliver what the market requires… we are committed and prepared for many more generations of family brewing and pub ownership and these recent investments should be seen as a sign of that.”
